Attack of the clones?
   Much of the world waits in fear - or at least nervousness - for validation or invalidation of the announcement by the Raelians and Clonaid of the first human clone's birth. Tim Renick, director of the religious studies program at Georgia State University, has explored the sources of our moral disquiet about cloning. Contact Renick, also associate chair of philosophy at Georgia State, at 404-651-0723 or trenick@gsu.edu.

More bad news for hormone replacement therapy
   Once lauded as a cure-all for hot flashes and mood swings, hormone replacement therapy is now portrayed as a risky solution for the unwelcome effects of menopause. Recent research has linked HRT to breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes, and the Food and Drug Administration ruled just last week that drugs containing estrogen or progesterone must include a warning about possible side effects. A Georgia State University study found hormone replacement therapy also affects the body's ability to fight disease. Roberta Attanasio, primary author of the study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology, found that immune systems of rhesus macaque monkeys functioned differently when the animals were given estrogen and progesterone. Contact Attanasio, associate professor of biology, at 404-651-0589 or rattanasio@gsu.edu.

Baby boomlet has colleges on their toes
   With rising birth rates and a growing population of high-school graduates, colleges and universities nationwide are struggling to balance soaring enrollments with shrinking budgets and crowded campuses. While some institutions are admitting fewer students, at Georgia State total enrollment has grown by over 12 percent in the last five years - a trend that doesn't show signs of slowing down, says Bill Fritz, associate provost for undergraduate studies. But the university isn't sacrificing quality for quantity - admissions standards continue to rise while the university remains among the most diverse in the country. Fritz says the university is implementing aggressive enrollment management techniques to prepare for future growth, while working to overcome some of the challenges that arise from an expanding student body. Fritz can be reached at 404-651-1156 or wfritz@gsu.edu.

Evolution vs. creationism: Debate rages on what to teach in public schools
   School systems nationwide have struggled with how to teach the origin of life in classrooms. Districts in Washington, Kansas, Ohio, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Georgia have debated science, religion and what should be taught to students. Some science professors say there is no science-based view countering evolution, and that opposing views are based on religious beliefs. Sarah Pallas, an associate professor of biology at Georgia State, is an expert on evolution and can talk candidly about efforts to introduce creationism in classrooms. Contact Pallas at 404-651-1551 or bioslp@panther.gsu.edu.

Economic cloud has silver lining for education
   A lagging economy, along with a highly-publicized statewide teacher shortage, have drawn record numbers of mid-career professionals to Georgia State's nontraditional teacher certification programs, according to administrators in the College of Education. Jan Hudgins, director of academic assistance for the College of Education, says inquiries and applications to the college's six alternative preparation programs have grown dramatically over the last year. Individuals, as well as school systems, are taking advantage of the college's programs that train novice and provisionally certified teachers to work in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as specialized areas, such as vocational and special education. Contact Hudgins at 404-651-2539.

Happening at Georgia State University:

MLK celebration features TV's Judge Hatchett
   The legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored during Georgia State's 20th annual King convocation Jan. 23. Judge Glenda Hatchett, star of the nationally syndicated television series "Judge Hatchett," is the keynote speaker. Georgia State students, faculty, staff and alumni who have demonstrated leadership and service in the promotion of racial harmony will be recognized at the convocation. The university will also present its first first-ever Hosea Williams Award for Community Activism. The event is free and open to the public. Contact Tonya Cook, program specialist in the Office of Diversity Education Programs, at 404-463-9719 for more information.

The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsberg to speak Feb. 13
  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will speak Feb. 13 as part of Georgia State University College of Law's Henry J. Miller Distinguished Lecture Series. Ginsburg's lecture, which starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Rialto Center for Performing Arts (corner of Forsyth and Luckie Streets), is titled "A Few Little Known Pages of Supreme Court History." A well-known pioneer for women's rights, Ginsburg became the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993.

Georgia State Leads is a biweekly email publication from the Department of University Relations. For more information about the publication or to sign up to receive Georgia State Leads, contact Beth Flannigan at 404-651-3574 or bflannigan@gsu.edu.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404-651-3025 for fast access to faculty experts and university news. After hours and on weekends, contact Betsy Robertson, assistant director, via pager at 404-655-3456.

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